adj

literate

LIH-tuh-ruht

adj

Able to read and write.

"The program aims to make sure every child in the district is literate by age eight."

Well informed or knowledgeable in a particular area.

"You don't need to be especially computer-literate to use this app."

How to Use Literate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAble to read and write, or well-versed in a given subject.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with literary (relating to books/writing as an art form) — literate describes a person's ability or knowledge.

Easily confused with

literary →

more literate comparative, literates plural, most literate superlative

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The program aims to make sure every child in the district is _____ by age eight.

From Latin litteratus, from littera ("letter"); a doublet of the words literato and literatus.

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